They are not totally different, it is just that what they have achieved last season was literally impossible to repeat. This reminds me of Lionel Messi when he scored 50 goals in La Liga in one season and the next season people said he is not living up to expectations because he only scored 40 goals. I think that is ridiculous. A more realistic view on things is required here as everyone with an idea about football knows that going unbeaten for two consecutive seasons is twice as impossible as it is to go one season unbeaten.
There is no difference Leverkusen is still the same as last season, for the current performance may be said to be a little down because of many disappointing results including a draw in two matches.Especially now dealing with Liverpool, of course it is a difficult opponent so it is also difficult to beat.
Whatever the result can happen or surprises will come at any time, in terms of seeing which opportunity wins I determine Liverpool.
I agree that this is more of a result issue than a game quality issue. But this could be seen last season already. They had a lot of last minute wins or draws when I thought that it could have gone wrong just as as likely. That's what's happening this season, the shot in the last minute that hit the back of the net last season only touches the cross bar or is defended by the goalkeeper this season. These are the little things that can let a perfect last season look more like average this season.
But I still count on Leverkusen and I think they will be at the top of the table competing for the title until the very last game day. Talking about Leverkusen not being as good as last season, I wonder what the reference points are. People seem to be forgetting that instead of the Europa League, Bayer Leverkusen is now playing in the Champions League with 7/9 points in 3 games and they have beaten AC Milan. To me this doesn't look much worse than last season
